ALBANIA, JOURNEYAND TRAFFICKING

19 October 2009
Arrived mid-morning in Vlore, Albania, thank God!
En route from Dusseldof to Verona from 5.30p.m. Friday to 11.30a.m. Saturday, when we shared our rail carriage with a very well-travelled couple, they did not like our proposed route - the highest ratio of accidents in Italy, delays due to clearing the results of accidents rather than traffic congestion and by far the most expensively- tolled road in Italy.......we consulted and changed direction. We drove down the east coast using the ordinary roads, at times in sight of the sea! A message to Naples to say we would not visit was followed shortly with my seeing a sign - "Loreto 6kms." I told Mirjam I had heard of this town when in school at Loreto, Gorey and we decided to take the next turn - 4 kms. only. At once we saw the town clinging to the hillside, dominated by a huge Basilica that envelops the House of the Holy Family since 1294. We went through the house and prayed for a nice home in Albania, then joined the fine group gathered for Mass. Afterwards, we sought accommodation in Cittanova Marche - a spotless hotel, warm and welcoming, ensuite of course and a very good breakfast all for 31euros 50cents each!

!8th. October MISSION SUNDAY
An early start and we continued on our coastal route; Mirjam said in surprise - "Our next town is Lanciano" I had heard of its fame and we made a visit. Way back in the 8th Century a monk had doubts about the Real Presence in the Host and Chalice after the Consecration. As he struggled, one morning the Host turned to real Flesh and the Chalice to Blood, congealing into five clots. Both of these are to be seen today. We prayed half an hour and then attended Mass with pilgrims and locals in the thronged Church.
There was more to come! In the afternooon we saw San Giovanni Rotondo and decided a detour would not lengthen our journey and so we saw the whole background to St Padre Pio. Truly, I wondered how Mairin and Kevin found their way to this spot at the time of the exhumation of Padre Pio.
Finally we continued to Bari - a huge city with massive castle, cathedral and Bascilica! In fact we had boarded our ferry well before 9.00p.m. for sailing at 11.00
A late reflection on Sunday being the annual date for Anti-Trafficking led me to Newton's hymn from the Wilberforce film "Amazing Grace" and I spent the next few hours matching the rhythm of its verses to the roll of the waves - not a recipe for a good nights sleep!
Due to mixed messages about landing we decided to show up at 7.00am just in case we would have gone on to Greece! In fact we disembarked at 8.00 and got here before 11.00a.m.
A final word - Mirjam and I shared yesterday that neither of us had looked forward to the four days journey but we had lots of wonderful surprises surely. So, all is well and a big "Thank you" for the letters and cards that surprised me here. Till again!